ARLINGTON (WBAP/KLIF News ) – Drunk driving accidents continued to plague North Texas this month. Arlington police made an arrest in connection to a hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a beloved motorcyclist.
The accident happened near the intersection of South Watson and Webb Lynn Roads on Friday at 11 p.m.
Arlington police said 22-year-old Kenneth Polk was driving a Dodge Charger when he ran a red light and hit 43-year-old Julie Maldonado. He took off after the accident but was arrested nearby.
She was rushed to the hospital where she later died from her injuries. Investigators accused Polk of being intoxicated at the time of the crash.
Witnesses told police they saw Polk’s vehicle hit a mailbox before the fatal accident.
Polk is charged with intoxication manslaughter and collision involving death. He’s being held in the Tarrant County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
In a statement on GoFundMe, Maldonado’s daughter said the mother of three was a force to be reckoned with.
“I know people always say the cheesy “her smile lit up a room” but hers actually died. My heart aches to know me and my brothers will never feel her warm embrace again,” said the statement. “She is light, she is a firecracker, she is love.”
The family is raising money to help pay for funeral expenses.
Click here if you wish to donate.
In the wake of Moldonado’s death, North Texas police stations are reminding residents to avoid getting driving while intoxicated at all costs.
On Monday, August 19th, five people, including two children, were killed after their car was rear ended on I-35 near Seminary Drive by a suspected drunk driver.
Fort Worth police said 19-year-old Eduardo Gonzalez was speeding when he hit the car, causing it to crash into a wall and catch fire. He’s charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and a DWI charge.
About a week before that, Fort Worth Police Sergeant Billy Randolph was killed after he was hit by a woman accused of hitting him while driving drunk as he worked a wreck on I-35W.
25-year-old De Aujalae Evans faces an intoxication manslaughter charge in connection to Randolph’s death. According to an arrest affidavit, she allegedly told police she drank 10 shots of alcohol before getting behind the wheel.
These tragedies are a grim reminder of the dangers of driving while drunk and come weeks before Labor Day weekend.
Law enforcement plan on beefing up patrols on streets and highways to prevent unnecessary deaths.
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